Maycee Kaye Barber, born on May 18, 1998, in Greeley, Colorado, is an American mixed martial artist who has made a significant impact in the world of combat sports. At 27 years old, she competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where she is widely recognized for her aggressive fighting style and determination. Barber’s journey into martial arts began at a remarkably young age, starting with karate at just three years old, influenced by her family’s deep involvement in the discipline. Her parents, Bucky and Maryanne Barber, owned a martial arts academy in Fort Collins, Colorado,…
Author: Kevin Koech
Valentina Shevchenko is a highly accomplished Kyrgyzstani professional mixed martial artist, widely recognized as one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. Born on March 7, 1988, in Frunze (now Bishkek), Kyrgyz SSR, Soviet Union, to a family of Russian-Ukrainian descent with a military background, she has built an extraordinary career across multiple combat sports. Nicknamed “Bullet” for her precise and explosive striking, Shevchenko began training in Taekwondo at age five, influenced by her mother Elena Shevchenko, a former multiple-time Muay Thai champion and president of Kyrgyzstan’s Muay Thai federation, as well as her older sister. She later excelled…
Julianna Nicole Peña, born on August 19, 1989, in Spokane, Washington, is an American professional mixed martial artist. At 36 years old, she competes in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, where she has established herself as a former two-time champion and a trailblazer. Known by the nickname “The Venezuelan Vixen,” Peña’s heritage reflects her father’s Venezuelan roots and her mother’s Mexican background, making her a first-generation American who proudly embraces her multicultural identity. Raised in Spokane, she discovered MMA as an outlet after starting with cardio kickboxing in 2008, quickly transitioning to professional fighting and earning a reputation for her…
Joanna Jędrzejczyk is a retired Polish professional mixed martial artist, Muay Thai fighter, and kickboxer who gained international fame for her dominance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on August 18, 1987, in Olsztyn, Poland, she began her combat sports journey as a teenager, initially focusing on Muay Thai where she built an impressive amateur record before transitioning to professional mixed martial arts (MMA). Known for her aggressive striking style, technical prowess, and unyielding spirit, Jędrzejczyk became one of the most prominent figures in women’s MMA, earning the nickname “Joanna Champion” during her reign as the UFC Women’s Strawweight…
Cody Gibson is an American mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by his nickname “The Renegade,” he was born on September 11, 1987, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Gibson has built a notable career in MMA while also working as a teacher, previously instructing U.S. History and economics before transitioning to middle school physical education. He trains with Xtreme Couture and has competed in various promotions, including multiple stints in the UFC. Siblings Cody was adopted along with his older brother Keith in 1989 after time in foster care, and the two relocated…
Antonina Shevchenko is a retired Kyrgyz-Peruvian mixed martial artist and a highly accomplished former Muay Thai and kickboxing competitor. She is best known as the older sister of UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko. Born on November 20, 1984, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Antonina comes from a family of Ukrainian origin with a deep-rooted passion for martial arts. Their mother, Elena Shevchenko, is a 3rd Dan black belt in Taekwondo and president of the Kyrgyzstan Muay Thai Federation. Siblings Antonina primary and most notable sibling is her younger sister, Valentina Shevchenko, born on March 7, 1988. The two share an exceptionally…
Holly Holm is an American mixed martial artist, former professional boxer, and kickboxer, widely recognized for her groundbreaking achievements in combat sports. Born on October 17, 1981, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she grew up as the youngest of three children in a family influenced by her father’s role as a Church of Christ preacher, which earned her the nickname “The Preacher’s Daughter.” Her early life was marked by athletic pursuits, including soccer, gymnastics, swimming, and diving, before she transitioned into aerobics classes that sparked her interest in kickboxing and eventually boxing. Holm’s journey in professional sports has made her a…
Miesha Theresa Tate is an American professional mixed martial artist born on August 18, 1986, in Tacoma, Washington. She grew up in a modest household, raised primarily by her mother, Michelle Tate, and her stepfather, Robert Schmidt, after her biological father was not involved in her upbringing. From a young age, Tate exhibited a tomboyish personality, often playing with boys and excelling in sports that challenged traditional gender norms. During her time at Franklin Pierce High School, she joined the boys’ wrestling team as a freshman and continued through graduation, eventually winning the girls’ state wrestling championship in her senior…
Ronda Jean Rousey is an American retired professional wrestler, actress, judoka, and mixed martial artist. Born on February 1, 1987, in Riverside County, California, she faced early challenges, including being born with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, which caused slight brain damage and delayed her ability to speak until she was six years old. Raised primarily by her mother, AnnMaria De Mars, a former judo champion, Rousey was introduced to judo at a young age and went on to excel in the sport. She transitioned into mixed martial arts (MMA) and later professional wrestling, becoming a trailblazer for…
Amanda Nunes is a renowned Brazilian-American professional mixed martial artist, widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters in the history of the sport. Born on May 30, 1988, in Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil, she rose to prominence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she became the first woman to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. Nunes is also notable for being the first openly lesbian UFC champion. She began her martial arts journey at a young age, starting with capoeira at five, karate at seven, and later Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, and judo, earning a black belt in…
Dominick Vincent Reyes is a Mexican American professional mixed martial artist born on December 26, 1989, in Hesperia, California, making him 36 years old as of early 2026. Known in the fighting world as “The Devastator,” he competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall with a 77-inch reach and fights from a southpaw stance. Reyes grew up in a challenging environment in Hesperia, coming from a poor family where his parents, Jose and Monique Reyes, pushed him toward sports to steer clear of local gang influences.…
Jan Maciej Błachowicz, born on February 24, 1983, in Cieszyn, Poland, is a renowned Polish professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From a young age, Błachowicz was drawn to martial arts, beginning with judo at nine years old, inspired by action films, before expanding into grappling and Muay Thai, where he achieved notable success in amateur competitions. He transitioned to professional MMA in 2007 and has built a career marked by resilience and striking power. On a personal note, Błachowicz is the son of Stanisław Błachowicz and Krystyna Błachowicz, and…
Mike Curb, born Michael Curb on December 24, 1944, in Savannah, Georgia, is a multifaceted American figure known for his contributions to music, politics, business, and philanthropy. Raised in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley after his family relocated there, he attended Grant High School and later studied at San Fernando Valley State College, now known as California State University, Northridge. His early exposure to the entertainment industry in California shaped his diverse career path, blending creative pursuits with public service and entrepreneurial ventures. Today, he serves as the chairman of Curb Records, one of the largest independent record labels in…
Michael Whitaker Smith, commonly known as Michael W. Smith, is a renowned American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor born on October 7, 1957, in Kenova, West Virginia. He grew up in a modest family environment, with his father Paul working as an oil refinery employee and his mother Barbara serving as a caterer and church secretary. From a young age, Smith developed a deep passion for music through his involvement in church activities, where he played piano and sang in the choir. After a brief stint at Marshall University, where he honed his songwriting skills, Smith moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in…
Rick Warren, born Richard Duane Warren on January 28, 1954, in San Jose, California, is a prominent American evangelical Christian pastor and bestselling author. He grew up in Ukiah, California, in a devout Christian family, with his father, Jimmy Warren, serving as a Baptist minister who built over 150 churches during his career, and his mother, Dot Warren, working as a high-school librarian. Warren earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California Baptist University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He…